Recoil mechanism



y 1946- v s. B. SOMERVELL 2,404,931

RECOIL MECHANISM Filed Aug. 3, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

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y 1946. l s. B. SOME'RVELL 2,404,931

RECOIL MECHANISM Filed Aug. 5, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /55 mm m 11%! In! H 153 )li I /63 Somervef/ B. Somervell,

4 INVENTOR.

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Patented July 30, 1946 UNITED RECOIL MECHANISM Somervell B. Somervell, New York, N. Y., assignor to Kurtiss P. Schenke, New York, N. Y.

Application August 3, 1943, Serial No. 497,269

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices for the absorbtion of impact and shock and more particularly to recoil mechanisms.

It is primarily an object of the present invention to provide a shock absorbing device including a recoil mechanism in which the dissipation of the disturbing force between its peak load and its return to zero is adequately compensated for. It is a further object to provide such a device which utilizes both springs and fluid pistons in a unique arrangement to gradually arrest the shock of the imposed force to the point of its peak load and to effectively dampen or prevent rebound when it has diminished.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a compact recoil unit which is completely housed within a cylindrical casing. It is a corollary object to provide a simple, relatively inexpensive device of this character which will remain serviceable for long periods and is readily adapted for servicing and repair.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becom apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the present specification and the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the forward portion of an automobile chassis to which a preferred form of my invention is shown adapted;

Fig. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the recoil mechanism and its working parts;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism to a reduced scale showing the parts partially compacted; and

Fig. 4 is a similar cross-sectional view showing th parts fully compacted.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the numeral 5 represents an automobile or other vehicle having a chassis or undercarriage frame which consists of the side frames 6 and the cross frame 1. The two front wheels 8 are rotatably mounted in any suitable manner known to the art and the bumper 9 extends across the front of the chassis. The bumper 9 is resiliently supported from the main chassis frame by the recoil mechanisms I6, which include the forwardly extending piston rods II attached to the bumper brackets I2 by the nuts I3, the recoil cylinders I being suitably attached to the frame by the bolts I4. It will be apparent that a collision between the vehicle and another object, either fixed or moving, which might strike the bumper 9, would cause relative telescopic movement between the piston II and its respective cylinder I0.

Reference to Fig. 2, indicates that the recoil mechanism I0 comprises a cylinder body I5 having a central chamber I5 I, a lower or inner chamber I52 of slightly lesser diameter, and an upper or outer chamber I53 of appreciably lesser diameter. The lower chamber I52 is defined by the cap fitting or gland I54 which is suitably bored to permit guided sliding of the rod II therethrough and its counterbored portion is threaded to engage the threaded exterior of the cylinder end. The opposite or outer end of the cylinder body is closed, and the chamber I53 formed by the plug I55 which threadedly engages the interior of the cylinder end and is provided with a hexagonal nut portion to facilitate its removal or installation. Within the wall of the cylinder body I5 adjacent the chamber I52 there is provided a packing ring I56 and the shouldered portion of the cylinder body I5 where the chambers I5I and I53 meet is suitably counterbored to provide a valve seat I58. Apertured lugs or cars I51 extend from the cylinder body for its attachment by the abovementioned bolts I4 to the chassis frame.

The inner chamber I52 is fully occupied by the main piston assembly I6 having the head and base elements I6I and I62, respectively, each of which are threadedly attached to the piston wall element I63. The actuating rod II threadedly engages th base element I62 and in the undeflected condition of the mechanism the latter is preferably in contact with the end wall of the cap element I54 and the head element I6I defines the lower end of the central chamber I5I. The piston wall I63 is provided with a port I64 adjacent its upper end and the piston assembly I6 houses an internal floating piston I65, continually urged upwardly and outwardly by the compression spring I66 and sealed therebetween by the packing ring I61. The floating piston I in cooperation with its moving cylinder wall I63 and the piston head I6I forms the floating fluid chamber I68 and the packing ring I61 is maintained in pressure contact with the tubular walls of the floating cylinder I63 by means of the communieating passages or ports I69 which are open to the chamber I68.

The small bore chamber I53 is sealed at its lower portion, in the undeflected condition of the device by the floating piston I1 urged inwardly by the compression spring IN, the terminals of which are in contact with the cupped or counterbored portion of the piston I1 and the outer plug I55. The piston I1 is made tight within its cylindrical bore by the cup washer I12 held by the retaining screw I13 in contact with the metallic ring washer I14, the piston defining the outer end of the fluid portion of the chamber I53 which is in communication with the fluid in the central chamber through the intermediacy of the metering flap valve I8.

The valve I8 comprises essentially a circular plate or disc having a central metering orifice therethrough at I8I and an integral cylindrical portion I80 reciprocable within the end bore of the outer fluid cylinder within which cylinder portion I80 it is provided with bleeding ports I82. The valve I8 is guided in its short reciprocable movement by the tap bolts I83 threadedly engaging the cylinder body I5 and resiliently held from its seat I58 thereon by the light compressing springs I84 concentrically disposed about the guide bolts I 83. In the normal or undeflected condition of the mechanism as shown in Fig. 2, all of the interior spaces between the floating pistons I65 and I! including the central chamber I5I would be filled with oil or other suitable shock absorber fluid and a filling duct and plug, not shown, would preferably be provided in communication with the central chamber I5I for purposes of filling, draining or replenishing.

The operation of the device is as follows: Let us assume that the recoil mechanism units IQ to be installed in an automobile as shown in Fig. l and to be in its normal condition with its elements disposed as in Fig. 2 and the bumper 9 is subjected to a shock or impact of appreciable magnitude. The shock results in relative and opposite movement between the bumper 9 and the units II! and corresponding telescopic movement of the intermediate piston I I thru the guide cap I56 and outward movement of the piston assembly i 6. The latter passes into the central fluid chamber I5I carrying with it the inner floating piston I65 which maintains its relative position within the piston assembly as long as the port I64 is covered by the walls of the cylinder I63.

Initial movement of the piston I6 into the chamber I5! results in the development of pressure in the fluid therein which passes through the restricted orifice I8I and bleeds also through the ports I82, entering the outer fluid chamber I53 and building up fluid pressure against the face of the smaller floating piston H. In such a partially deflected condition of the recoil unit the elements will pass through a relative position in respect to the body I 5 as indicated in Fig. 3. In this figure it will be seen that the piston l6 has entered the chamber IEiI sufliciently to displace fluid and build up pressure therein causing the valve I8 to close ports I82; and the fluid which has passed therethrough, and continues to pass thru the metering orifice IBI, has partially filled the outer chamber I53 imparting outward movement to the piston I'I against the resistance of its spring Ill. The shock has not as yet, however, been of such magnitude to cause telescoping or compacting to the extent that the port I64 would be uncovered. Should this have been the full extent of the shock and it were fully dissipated by movement of the elements to the position shown in Fig 3, the energy stored in the spring Ill would urge the piston I I to return inwardly, the resulting pressure differential between the chambers H53 and EM again opening the valve I8, with the assistance of the springs I84. The return of the fluid into the chamber I5I will cause the piston assembly to return to itsundeflected position against the end cap I54. An air vent I54a of any suitable type is preferably provided thru the end cap I54 to relieve the pressure or vacuum created between the cap and the base element I62 as the piston assembly moves in either direction.

Let us now assume that the disturbing force or shock was of sufficient magnitude to cause complete deflection or compacting of the recoil unit. This greater force causes the piston assembly I6 to project beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 in which the piston I! has almost reached its farthest outward position. Slightly further movement of the piston assembly I6, and the piston I'I, results in exposure 0f the port I64 to the fluid pressure which has been built up in the chamber ISI. This opening of fluid communication between the chambers I5I and I68 results in rapid equalization of the pressures within these chambers, a. material reduction in the total fluid resistance opposing further movement of the piston head I6 due to the added pressure on its under or inner face and the increase in fluid pressure upon the floating piston I65 which is increasingly opposed by deflection of the spring I66. The greater force is preferably finally dissipated by maximum deflection of the spring I66 at which time the elements attain a relative position as shown in Fig. 4. The recoil unit is preferably designed such that a still greater force will cause the piston end I6 to physically contact the guide bolts I83 thereby providing a solid metallic assembly from the bumper, through the rod 8 i, the piston assembly I6, the bolts I83, through the body i 5 and the lugs I61 to the chassis frame.

The functioning of the valve i8 is as follows: As the piston it moves into the chamber I5I the fluid displaced thereby initially passes through the restricted ports IBI and I84 moving the piston i'I against the opposition of the spring Ill. The resistance oflered by these ports causes a building up of pressure within the chamber I5I which acts upon the face of the valve I8 having the greatest exposed area to the increased pressure with the result that the valve I3 seats itself against the annular lip I66, overcoming the resistance of the springs I66 and closing off the ports I82. Continued movement of the piston I6 causes the displaced fluid to be metered entirely through the port I8I and further movement of the piston ii at an appreciably higher rate than the piston I6 in proportion to the relative exposed areas. By the time the port I64 becomes exposed to the chamber I5I the piston I! will have reached the limit of its outward movement fully compressing the spring I "H. The remainder of the disturbing shock is absorbed by the second floating piston E65 as described above.

Upon removal of the disturbing shock or force the normal condition of the recoil unit is again restored by movement of the elements in the reverse order and direction to those which have been enumerated above. The spring I 66, being more powerful than the spring I'll will impart outward movement of the piston E65, expelling fluid from the chamber 566, through the port I64 into chamber l5I. As this movement of the fluid takes place the entrance of the fluid into the chamber E5I causes return movement of the piston assembly is until the port I 64 is again closed, at which time the spring I66 is no longer effective to cause further return movement of the piston assembly. At this point however, energy stored within the smaller spring I'II exerts a greater force upon the piston I'I than posing force of the fluid in chambers I5I the opand I53,

which have now been relieved of the force exerted by the spring I65. Since the pressure within chamber I53 is greater than that in chamber I5! the springs i54 now assist in returning the valve l8 to its initial position in which the fluid is permitted. to pass through the orifices NH and I82 until the recoil mechanism has slowly been returned to its extended initial position without the attendance of rebounding characteristics. The units are then in position to again oppose further disturbing impacts or shocks.

Other forms and modifications of the present invention, both with respect to its general arrangement and the details of the respective elements which may occur to those skilled in the art after reading the foregoing description, are all intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as more particularly defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A recoil mechanism for a motor vehicle having a bumper and a chassis frame comprising a multi-chambered cylinder attached to said frame, a hollow piston reciprocable within a chamber of said cylinder, an impact transmitting element connecting said bumper with said hollow piston, a resiliently opposed floating piston reciprocable Within a further chamber of said cylinder, a main fluid chamber in said cylinder, at second floating piston resiliently carried within said hollow p ton, restricting means disposed between said first floating piston and said main chamber adapted to initiate absorption of initial movement of said hollow piston upon transmission of an impact thereto and porting means cooperating with said main chamber initiated by further movement of said hollow piston adapted to cause said second floating piston to resiliently oppose said further movement.

2. A recoil mechanism adapted to dampen shocks between a first and a second body, comprising a multi-chambered cylinder attached to said first body, a hollow piston slidable from a first into a second cylinder of said chamber, a rod attached to said hollow piston, said rod attached to the second said body, a resiliently opposed piston within a third chamber of said cylinder, a resiliently opposed piston within said hollow piston and means adapted to provide fluid communication between said chambers whereby relative movements tending to produce shocks between said second body attached rod and said first body attached cylinder are resiliently opposed in each direction.

3. The combination with a shock-absorbing device of the type having a multi-chambered cylinder and a hollow piston disposed within one of said chambers, of a floating piston carried by said hollow piston, resilient means interposed between said floating and hollow pistons, a second floating piston disposed within a second chamber, resilient means interposed between said second floating piston and said cylinder, a main fluid chamber and means initiated by movement of said floating piston into said main chamber adapted to cause said second floating piston to initially oppose the same and upon predetermined movement of said hollow piston to cause the said first floating piston to additionally resiliently oppose further movement thereof.

4. The combination with a shock-absorbing device of the type having a multi-chambered cylinder and a hollow piston normally occupying one of said chambers, of a floating piston slidable within said hollow piston, resilient means interposed between said fioating and hollow pistons urging said floating piston toward a chamber within said hollow piston, a main fluid chamber and a port through the wall of said hollow piston adapted upon predetermined movement thereof into said main chamber to provide fluid communication to said chamber carried therewithin whereby said floating piston opposes further movement of said hollow piston.

5. A recoil mechanism comprising a cylinder having at least three fluid chambers including a main chamber, a secondary chamber adjacent to and of lesser diameter than said main chamber and a tertiary chamber of lesser diameter than said secondary chamber, a hollow piston normally fully occupying said secondary chamber, a spring-pressed piston within said tertiary chamber, valve means interposed between said main and tertiary chambers, a spring-pressed piston carried within said hollow piston, actuating means attached to said hollow piston and slidable through a wall of said cylinder and a port through the wall of said hollow piston whereby forces imposed upon said actuating means causes restricted fluid displacement from said main chamber against the piston in said tertiary chamber through said valve means and predetermined sliding travel of said hollow piston exposes the spring-pressed piston carried therewithin to the pressure of the fluid in said main chamber through said port.

6. A shock-absorbing device comprising a multi-chambered cylinder attached to a relatively fixed member, a hollow piston reciprocable within a chamber of said cylinder, a relatively movable impact transmitting element connected to said hollow piston, a resiliently opposed floatin piston reciprocable within a further chamber of said cylinder, a main fluid chamber in said cylinder, a second floating piston resilientl carried within said hollow piston and restricting means disposed between said first floating piston and said main chamber adapted to initiate absorption of initial movement of said hollow piston upon transmission of an impact thereto and porting means cooperating with said main chamber initiated by further movement of said hollow piston adapted to cause said second floating piston to resiliently oppose said further movement.

7. A shock absorbing device having a multichambered cylinder member attached to a relatively fixed support, a hollow piston normally occupying one of the chambers of said cylinder member, a floating piston slidable within said hollow piston, resilient means interposed between said floating and hollow pistons urging said floating piston toward a chamber within said cylinder member, a port through the wall of said hollow piston adapted upon predetermined movement thereof into said main chamber to provide fluid communication to said chamber carried therewithin whereby said floating piston opposes further movement of said hollow piston within said relatively fixed cylinder member.

SOMERVELL B. SOMERVELL. 

